Game Overview
The Southern University Jaguars traveled to face the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini on December 29, 2025, at State Farm Center in Champaign. Illinois entered as heavy favorites with a 32.5-point spread, reflecting the significant disparity between the two programs' current form and rankings.
Illinois brought a 9-3 overall record and 6-1 Big Ten conference record into the matchup, while Southern arrived with a 4-8 overall record and 1-8 conference record. The game represented a non-conference opportunity for both teams to add to their résumés before continued conference play.
Illinois' Offensive Dominance
The Fighting Illini demonstrated exceptional offensive rebounding prowess, ranking 13th nationally with a 39.3% offensive rebound collection rate. This strength translated to second-chance scoring opportunities, with the team generating 29 second-chance points through 15 offensive rebounds in recent games.
Keaton Wagler led Illinois' scoring attack with 22 points in their previous victory over Missouri, while Andrej Stojakovic provided consistent double-figure scoring. The team's depth and efficiency on the glass created multiple scoring opportunities throughout games, establishing Illinois as a formidable offensive force in college basketball.
Southern's Uphill Battle
Southern entered the contest on a four-game losing streak, including a 111-67 defeat to Baylor on December 21. The Jaguars had faced an exceptionally challenging nonconference schedule, competing against top-ranked programs including then-No. 14 Arkansas and Washington, though they fell short in these matchups.
Michael Jacobs led Southern's offensive efforts, averaging 20.9 points per game with eight 20-point performances on the season. Despite individual scoring prowess, the team struggled to generate consistent wins, with their only Division I victory coming against a lower-tier opponent early in the season.